The CLEF Lab is calling for participants in the WAVE-AD Study:

A Window into Auditory Vulnerability and Early Alzheimerʼs Disease

The goal of the WAVE-AD study is to determine whether neural signals that we can record in your auditory system can be used to detect very early hints of neurodegeneration in the human brain that might predict the later development of Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementias (AD/ADRD). If so, this neural signal recorded from your auditory system, called the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), may be a helpful screening tool for very early detection of AD/ADRD risk.

Early detection of dementia risk is key for earlier and potentially life-saving intervention.

To understand why the auditory system might provide insights into AD/ADRD, this study also investigates if possible imbalances in excitatory vs. inhibitory activities of the human brain results in both aging-dependent hearing and cognitive dysfunction including dementia. Ultimately, the study will determine if sound-evoked Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) metrics can successfully identify human dementia risk and progression.

Who is eligible to participate?

• Adults between the ages of 55 and 75 with normal hearing.

• Mild Cognitive Impairment OR No Cognitive Impairment, with no other neurological conditions.

• Fluent in English.

• Can participate in area for study duration.

What will be asked of you?

• You will be provided with a survey to collect self-reported data.

• An electro-conductive gel will be applied under an electroencephalography (EEG) cap and an earphone will be inserted into your right ear.

• You will be asked to sit quietly and listen to sounds while we record your brain activity.

• You will complete up to two 2-hour visits. ALL participants will undergo one 2-hour EEG visit, and if eligible, some participants may choose to undergo one 2-hour MRI visit.